Critical Condition: American Horror Story – Cult

➢ “Sarah Paulson shines in Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s satirical look at the aftermath of the 2016 election and how it relates to a masked gang of killer clowns … The three episodes sent to critics are enough to make a strong case for Cult as perhaps the franchise’s most focused and funny entry to date. As satirically subtle as a room full of knife-wielding lunatics in clown costumes, Cult may also be the franchise’s most accessible entry, though that may depend on your tolerance for political talk and, of course, knife-wielding lunatics in clown costumes.” — The Hollywood Reporter.

➢ “As smart and topical as this show could be, the plot begins to sputter and wheeze way too soon; in trying to come up with the scariest thing it can think of, Cult is oddly low on the sort of chills that would keep a viewer up at night. Even with the idea of the president as a constant (if theoretical) boogeyman, it’s difficult to sustain the sort of energy it takes to live in constant fear of him or what he’ll do. And once a viewer gets past that, the unfortunate truth is that this American Horror Story is just another slasher tale that features a bunch of bad clowns.” — The Washington Post.

➢ “It’s not hard to see how Ryan Murphy arrived at his premise for AHS Season 7. To say that many Americans have been living out their own personal horror story isn’t an overstatement — not with border closings, hate speech, and potential treason all enabled by the White House — but the new season manages to undermine the left’s legitimate fears and amplify the right’s monstrous traits all in one frenzied mess of an allegory.” — IndieWire.

➢ “Essentially, the world in American Horror Story: Cult has gone completely berserk, yet it only seems maybe 20 percent more nuts, tops, than the world in which we actually live. Maybe I’m crazy for enjoying a series that approaches this volatile, still-unfolding chapter in our nation’s history with such gruesome enthusiasm and with its tongue tucked so firmly into its cheek. But we’re all a little insane at this point. American Horror Story: Cult is apparently on a mission to force us to admit it.” — New York.

➢ “Give Cult credit for trying to connect with the current cultural mood, though it offers over-the-top stereotyping of both sides as well as spot-on insight. And even if the constant door-banging (what, no doorbells?) stops giving you the intended jitters, such horror-trope winks might still provide a laugh.” — USA Today.

2 Responses to “Critical Condition: American Horror Story – Cult”

Thanks, Mark. I thought AHS peaked with the brilliant Asylum. Subsequent seasons were such a huge disappointment that I swore off it. However, having enjoyed Ryan Murphy’s Feud and The People vs OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, I’ll give it another go.